Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
19th Century German Biedermeier Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Spruce, Cherry
19th Century French Directoire Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Bronze
Late 19th Century Eastlake Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry
Late 18th Century North American Victorian Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry
1860s European Louis Philippe Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Brass
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century American American Classical Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Brass
19th Century Swiss Empire Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Marble
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1950s French Mid-Century Modern Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Oak, Plywood
19th Century German Biedermeier Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Wood, Walnut
Early 1900s Art Nouveau Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Ash, Cherry
1780s German Louis XVI Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Walnut
1860s Scandinavian Biedermeier Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Swedish Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Birch
19th Century American Federal Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Walnut
1790s French Louis XVI Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Walnut
Late 19th Century French Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Fabric, Wood, Velvet
1880s English Victorian Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Leather, Oak
1850s English Victorian Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Mahogany
Mid-19th Century German Biedermeier Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Metal, Brass
Early 19th Century Danish Country Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Brass
1880s Swedish Victorian Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Walnut
19th Century French Other Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Walnut
Late 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Birch
Recent Sales
1920s Austrian Art Deco Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry
Early 19th Century English Regency Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
1760s American Chippendale Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry, Pine
1860s German Biedermeier Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry
Late 19th Century Victorian Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Glass, Cherry
1820s American Federal Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Brass
19th Century Swiss Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Brass
Late 18th Century French Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Brass
19th Century German Biedermeier Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry, Pine
1810s Austrian Empire Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry, Lacquer, Wood
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Bronze
1820s German Biedermeier Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry
1810s Austrian Biedermeier Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Wood, Cherry, Burl
19th Century German Biedermeier Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry
1820s German Biedermeier Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry
Mid-18th Century French Louis XV Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Leather, Cherry
Mid-19th Century English Georgian Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Leather, Glass, Cherry, Mahogany
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry, Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Walnut
Early 19th Century German Neoclassical Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Bronze
Early 19th Century German Biedermeier Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry
Late 18th Century German Louis XVI Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry, Walnut
Late 18th Century French Louis XVI Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry, Fruitwood
19th Century French Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
1790s French Directoire Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Marble, Brass
1920s Scottish Queen Anne Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Walnut
1810s German Biedermeier Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Mahogany, Oak
1820s American Sheraton Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry, Maple
18th Century American American Colonial Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Brass
19th Century German Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry
19th Century German Biedermeier Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry
Mid-19th Century Unknown Sheraton Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry
19th Century French Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Brass
Mid-19th Century Danish Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Oak, Birch
19th Century French Country Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Marble, Brass
19th Century French Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Wood
18th Century French Louis XVI Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry
18th Century and Earlier French Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Marble, Brass
19th Century Swedish Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
19th Century Swedish Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
19th Century French Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Pine, Cherry
19th Century French Cherry Secretary Desk Antique
Cherry
Cherry Secretary Desk Antique For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Cherry Secretary Desk Antique?
Finding the Right secretaires for You
Your antique, new or vintage secretary desk has become the (chic) saving grace of the "new normal" at home.
Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments — pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers — are revealed.
Traditionally, a secretary is composed of two parts — a chest of drawers on the bottom and a cabinet with shelves on the top. Taking its name from the French word for the piece, secrétaire, the secretary desk dates back to the 18th century, when Paris-based cabinetmaker Jean-François Oeben, known for his exquisite marquetry and clever mechanical desks, is thought to have invented the secrétaire à abbattant, or drop-leaf desk.
While the defining drop-down feature of the secretary desk has remained constant, the materials used, as well as its configuration, size and style have evolved over time.
At first, secretaries were typically made from exotic woods, like rosewood, tulipwood and kingwood; later, hardwoods like cherry, maple, oak and mahogany were more common. The desks also became lighter, with space carved out of the lower half for the writer’s feet or with drawers replaced by legs — making them more table-like.
When open, the secretary is a dynamic, versatile Wunderkammer. When closed, it’s a sophisticated, space-saving piece of furniture.
“A fine secretary with a good provenance adds stature and credence to its owner — it is a cornerstone piece,” says antiques dealer Stanley Weiss, who specializes in 18th- and 19th-century English and American furniture. “In this disposable world, fine furniture is always passed on and speaks to who its owner is.”
No matter what style or period you choose, and no matter how you decide to use it, the timeless, flexible secretary desk is bound to become an indispensable part of your daily routine.
Browse a range of antique and vintage secretary desks on 1stDibs, including mid-century modern secretaires, Georgian secretaires and others.
- 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.
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